“Serving overseas as a small-town boy from America is intense, stressful and humorous! Enjoy a light-hearted story with me from our last 20 years overseas!” – Matt
GETTING BLOWN AWAY
Did you ever compete in an academic competition when growing up? I did Science Fairs, Academic Super Bowls and even Academic Decathlons. My mom (like many mothers out there) claims she should get a grade for all the work I did to complete school projects. One competition that didn’t excite me, nor repel me, was public speaking. I did not have enough sense to be afraid. Over the years of living abroad, I have thought how easy public speaking is, when you get to do it in your own language and culture.
Before moving abroad, we had an experienced overseas worker take us to a venue to learn from watching him speak at the event. He was a very tall man. While speaking, he took a bit of a step to the side and fell right off the platform. It was a good three to four feet up, but thankfully he was not hurt. I learned that lesson loud and clear: watch where you step when speaking.
Even what you communicate from is different in many places – the podium itself. In America today, it is the fashion for many to be “podium free” and to walk around while they speak. However, the podium is still king in many countries.
I remember speaking behind a podium and thinking I had a level of privacy behind the structure. My nose was running, so I thought I would casually get a tissue from my pocket without anyone noticing. I watched some of the people’s eyes following my hand to get my tissue, and then noticed that the front of the podium was clear glass.
Everyone gets warmer as they speak, and I knew I’d be sweating when I spoke once in the summer in a hot building without AC. After being introduced, I walked to the podium, holding my notes loosely in my hand. Before I could place the notes down, all of a sudden, my notes went flying every which way. I didn’t notice that they had placed a strong oscillating fan inside the podium itself to cool off the speaker. Sometimes speaking can literally blow you away.
Something similar ever happen to you? Contact me and let me hear your story!
mattsmishaps@gmail.com Matt’s Mishaps, PO BOX 114, Grabill, IN 46741
